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U.S. Air Force conducts night training with Japan, Republic of Korea

Staff Reports, news@guampdn.com
Published 3:57 p.m. ChT Oct. 11, 2017

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A U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer, assigned to the 37th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, deployed from Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, takes off from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, for a training mission on Friday, Aug. 11, 2017.
Courtesy of U.S. Air Force

Two U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancers assigned to the 37th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, deployed from Ellsworth Air Force Base (AFB), S.D., prepare to take off from Andersen AFB, Guam to fly sequenced bilateral missions with two Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) F-15s and two Republic of Korea air force (ROKAF) F-15Ks in the vicinity of the Sea of Japan, Oct. 10, 2017. This mission marks the first time U.S. Pacific Command B-1B Lancers have conducted combined training with JASDF and ROKAF fighters at night, demonstrating our increasing combined capabilities.(Photo: Courtesy of Staff Sgt. Joshua Smoot/U.S. Air Force)

Two B-1B Lancers on Tuesday took off from Andersen Air Force Base to conduct a nighttime training mission with military allies Japan and the Republic of Korea near the Sea of Japan, according to the U.S. military.

The Guam air base hosted the bomber aircraft, assigned to the 37th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, which had come from the Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota, according to a news release from Pacific Air Forces Public Affairs.

Pacific Air Forces stated it's the first time the B-1B Lancers were used for training at night with the Japan Air Self-Defense Force and Republic of Korea Air Force.

"Flying and training at night with our allies in a safe, effective manner is an important capability shared between the U.S. Japan and the Republic or Korea and hones the tactical prowess of each nations' aviator," said Maj. Patrick Applegate, of the U.S. Air Force's 613th Air Operation Center.

The mission was a display of alliance between the three nations and their resolve to enhance security in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. The presence of the bomber crafts is part of a U.S. Pacific Command mission to ensure a quick and efficient response to various types of threats in the area, the release states.

A U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer assigned to the 37th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, deployed from Ellsworth Air Force Base (AFB), S.D., takes off from Andersen AFB, Guam to fly sequenced bilateral missions with two Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) F-15s and two Republic of Korea air force (ROKAF) F-15Ks in the vicinity of the Sea of Japan, Oct. 10, 2017.(Photo: Courtesy of Senior Airman Jacob Skovo/U.S. Air Force)